A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a parent and his school-age child who has juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include?
Encourage the child to take a 45 min nap daily
Administer prednisone on an alternate day schedule
Apply cool compresses for 20 min every hour
Allow the child to stay at home on days when her joints are painful
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Encouraging the child to take a 45 min nap daily is not a helpful instruction, as it may interfere with the child's normal sleep pattern and school schedule. The child may benefit from regular rest periods throughout the day, but not necessarily a long nap. ⁵
Choice B reason: Administering prednisone on an alternate day schedule is a helpful instruction, as it is a common way of prescribing corticosteroids for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation and control symptoms, but they have many side effects, such as growth suppression, weight gain, and osteoporosis. Giving the medication every other day may reduce some of these side effects and improve compliance. ⁶
Choice C reason: Applying cool compresses for 20 min every hour is not a helpful instruction, as it may cause skin damage and discomfort. Cool compresses may be useful for acute inflammation, but not for chronic arthritis. Warm compresses or baths may be more soothing and beneficial for the child's joints. ⁷
Choice D reason: Allowing the child to stay at home on days when her joints are painful is not a helpful instruction, as it may lead to social isolation, academic difficulties, and reduced physical activity. The child should be encouraged to attend school and participate in activities as much as possible, with appropriate accommodations and modifications if needed. The child may also benefit from physical therapy, occupational therapy, and pain management strategies. ⁸
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Loss of appetite is not an urgent finding, as it may be caused by various factors, such as nausea, pain, or stress. The nurse should monitor the child's fluid and calorie intake and encourage oral hydration and nutrition. However, loss of appetite does not require immediate reporting to the health care provider.
Choice B reason: Platelet count is not an urgent finding, as it is not given in the text. The nurse should check the child's laboratory results and compare them with the normal ranges for preschoolers. A normal platelet count for children is 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood¹. A low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) may indicate bleeding disorders, infections, or bone marrow problems. A high platelet count (thrombocytosis) may indicate inflammation, infection, or cancer. The nurse should report any abnormal platelet count to the health care provider, but it is not an immediate concern.
Choice C reason: Developmental regression is an urgent finding, as it may indicate a serious neurological problem, such as a brain tumor, infection, or injury. Developmental regression is the loss of previously acquired skills or milestones, such as language, motor, or social skills. The nurse should assess the child's developmental level and report any signs of regression to the health care provider as soon as possible.
Choice D reason: Absolute neutrophil count is an urgent finding, as it may indicate a severe infection or a compromised immune system. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that fight bacterial infections. The absolute neutrophil count is the number of neutrophils in a microliter of blood. A normal absolute neutrophil count for children is 1,500 to 8,000 per microliter of blood². A low absolute neutrophil count (neutropenia) may increase the risk of infection and sepsis. A high absolute neutrophil count (neutrophilia) may indicate an acute infection or inflammation. The nurse should report any abnormal absolute neutrophil count to the health care provider immediately.
Choice E reason: Hemoglobin is not an urgent finding, as it is not given in the text. The nurse should check the child's laboratory results and compare them with the normal ranges for preschoolers. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A normal hemoglobin level for children is 11.5 to 15.5 grams per deciliter of blood³. A low hemoglobin level (anemia) may indicate blood loss, iron deficiency, or bone marrow problems. A high hemoglobin level (polycythemia) may indicate dehydration, lung disease, or heart disease. The nurse should report any abnormal hemoglobin level to the health care provider, but it is not an immediate concern.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Intravenous immunoglobulin is a likely prescription, as it is used to treat Kawasaki disease, which is a rare but serious condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in children. The toddler has many signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease, such as high fever, irritability, red eyes, dry lips, strawberry tongue, swollen hands and feet, rash, and enlarged lymph node. Intravenous immunoglobulin can reduce the risk of complications, such as coronary artery aneurysms, which can be life-threatening.
Choice B reason: Oral acyclovir is not a probable prescription, as it is used to treat viral infections, such as herpes simplex or varicella zoster, which are not the main problems of the toddler. The toddler has no evidence of a viral infection, such as blisters, vesicles, or crusts.
Choice C reason: Intramuscular penicillin is not a likely prescription, as it is used to treat bacterial infections, such as streptococcal pharyngitis or syphilis, which are not the main problems of the toddler. The toddler has no signs of a bacterial infection, such as purulent discharge, foul odor, or localized inflammation.
Choice D reason: Topical hydrocortisone is not a helpful prescription, as it is used to treat skin conditions, such as eczema or dermatitis, which are not the main problems of the toddler. The toddler has a rash that is caused by the inflammation of the blood vessels, not by an allergic or irritant reaction. Topical hydrocortisone may also worsen the rash or cause skin thinning or infection.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today